Richard John Kuehl

Richard J. “Dick” Kuehl, 95, of Pinehurst, NC, was reunited with the love of his life, Ina, after passing away peacefully on March 18, 2026. God answered his prayer to leave this life while sleeping. 

Born on July 30, 1930, in Chicago, IL, he was the only child of John C.F. Kuehl and Josephine Louise Schmidt Kuehl. Dick attended Lane Tech High School and graduated in 1947 at the age of 16. He actively participated in the ROTC program through his younger years as he had aspirations to attend West Point. His eyesight made him ineligible. After spending four months at the Gregg Business College, he was accepted into Rose Polytechnic Institute in Terre Haute, IN, where he continued his ROTC enrollment. An accelerated three-year program allowed him to earn his BS in Electrical Engineering in August 1950. 

After graduating, he signed a 2-year training contract with Allis-Chalmers Mfg. in WI while he waited for additional military orders. Dick’s ROTC contract protected him from the military draft board, but after completing a training program at Fort Belvoir, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army in July 1951. During his training, he met his future wife, Ina Lea Judy, at a movie theater in Washington, DC. On December 20, 1951, Dick and Ina tied the knot by a judge in Emporia, VA, after only 20 days of courtship. They were married for 69 years before Ina passed away in August 2021. Dick was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Orlando AFB; and Eglin AFB, where he earned his 1st Lieutenant rank. Dick served 2 years of active duty in the US Army Corps of Engineers, building airfields, then served an additional 6 years in the reserves and received an Honorable Discharge in August 1959. 

Dick’s career began in St. Louis, MO, with Allis-Chalmers as a Sales Engineer. He then worked for Dow Chemical in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Sarnia, Ontario; Midland, Michigan; Washington, DC; and Cleveland, OH. He built a chemical plant from the ground up, achieved remarkable leadership positions, and served as a loaned executive on President Reagan’s Grace Commission before retiring in 1989, after 33 years with Dow, at the age of 59. During his free time, he was president of a male chorus, civic club, PTA, and was active in Scouting. He also played golf, tennis, bowled, bicycled, sang, curled, and played racquetball for recreation. 

After retiring, he moved to Pinehurst, NC, and called it Heaven on Earth. He became an avid golfer, often boasting, “I live on hole #6 on course #6!” He worked with the Republican Men’s Club, Community Presbyterian Church, Brownson Presbyterian Church, Pinehurst Community Watch (which included several trips to the White House), and as an instructor for ten years at Sandhills Community College. Dick also volunteered at the US Open every year it was played in town. He and Ina enjoyed many years of golfing, playing bridge, watching ballets, traveling to family events, always hosting Thanksgiving dinners, and cooking/barbecuing with the family. 

Dick is survived by his three children, Diane K. DePeder (Nick) of Kennesaw, GA; Dale R. Kuehl (Nichole) of Evans, GA; and Kathryn L.K. Carmer (David) of Cary, NC; along with his 7 grandchildren, whom he always said “made his life worthwhile,” Matthew and Michael DePeder of Charlotte, NC; Evan Kuehl of Metter, GA, Logan Kuehl of Fayetteville, NC, and Adam Kuehl of Evans, GA; Dakota Carmer of Cary, NC and Sydney Carmer of Los Angeles, CA.

The family will welcome and reminisce with friends on Friday, July 10, from 2-3 pm at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian, 330 S. May St., Southern Pines. Following this casual hour will be an open committal service at Pinelawn Memorial Park, 1105 Morganton Road, Southern Pines, where Dick will be interred in the mausoleum. 

Online condolences for the family can be made at PinesFunerals.com, and donations can be sent to Brownson Presbyterian Church. 

Services are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home.